The rescued abducted schoolchildren from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State have recounted their traumatic experience in captivity, detailing how they were forced to sleep on a trampoline in the bush and repeatedly threatened to remain silent.
One of the freed pupils, Florence Michael, shared her story on Monday shortly after the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, officially handed the children over to the Niger State Government, marking the end of a distressing ordeal for the victims and their families.
According to Florence, the abductors marched them deep into a forested area close to a river, where they were made to lie on a trampoline placed on the ground. She explained that the conditions were harsh, frightening, and unfamiliar, as the children were exposed to the elements while constantly living in fear.
She revealed that the terrorists issued stern warnings throughout their captivity, cautioning them against making any form of noise or crying.
“They told us if we make noise, they would beat us and we would not go back home,” she recounted, describing the constant threats that kept the children terrified and silent.
“They gave us a trampoline to lie on and kept us in the bush near a river,” she added, explaining how the children spent their days and nights under strict surveillance.
Florence used the opportunity to appeal to the government at all levels to strengthen security around schools, stressing that no child should be subjected to such fear while pursuing education.
Meanwhile, speaking during the official handover, Ribadu disclosed that the successful rescue was the result of a coordinated joint operation involving the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Armed Forces, and other security agencies.
Represented at the event by Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong, Ribadu assured Nigerians that the federal government has implemented immediate short-term safety measures for schools in high-risk areas. He added that efforts are also ongoing to partner with state governments, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to develop long-term, community-based security solutions.
According to him, insecurity will not be allowed to deny any Nigerian child the fundamental right to education, as safeguarding schools remains a top priority.
Receiving the rescued children at the Government House in Minna, Niger State Governor Umaru Bago described their release as a huge relief not only to the affected families but also to the entire state, noting that the government remains committed to preventing similar incidents in the future.